Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. An apparatus to detect uninstallation of applications on mobile devices, the apparatus comprising: means for detecting that an application is to be uninstalled from the mobile device, wherein the application is to gather status information of the means for detecting to ensure that the means for detecting is installed, wherein the application is to transmit the status information to a data collector; means for displaying a prompt indicating whether the means for detecting is to be uninstalled when the application is to be uninstalled, wherein the means for displaying is to instruct a package manager to remove the means for detecting from the mobile device; and means for communicating an uninstallation notification to the data collector when the application is to be uninstalled, and wherein the uninstallation notification is to enable identification of a panelist associated with the mobile device.
Mobile devices often require monitoring of application usage, including uninstallation events, for analytics or market research. Existing methods may fail to reliably detect when monitoring tools are removed alongside other applications, leading to data gaps. This invention addresses this by providing an apparatus that ensures detection of uninstallation events for applications on mobile devices, even when those applications include monitoring components. The apparatus includes a detection module that monitors when an application is about to be uninstalled. The application being uninstalled periodically checks the status of this detection module to confirm it is still installed. If the detection module is present, the application transmits this status information to a remote data collector. The apparatus also includes a display module that prompts the user before uninstalling the detection module, ensuring intentional removal. If the user confirms, the display module instructs the device's package manager to uninstall the detection module. Additionally, a communication module sends an uninstallation notification to the data collector, which includes identifiers to link the event to a specific panelist or device. This ensures accurate tracking of uninstallation events, even when the monitoring application is removed alongside other software. The system improves data reliability for market research and application analytics by preventing undetected removals of monitoring tools.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the means for detecting is to detect that the application is to be uninstalled in response to a message from the package manager of the mobile device.
This invention relates to a system for detecting and responding to the uninstallation of an application on a mobile device. The problem addressed is the need to identify when an application is being uninstalled, particularly in scenarios where the uninstallation process is initiated by the device's package manager. The apparatus includes a detection mechanism that monitors the package manager for uninstallation messages, allowing the system to take appropriate actions before or during the uninstallation process. The detection mechanism is designed to recognize specific signals or commands from the package manager that indicate an application is about to be removed. This enables the system to perform cleanup operations, log data, or trigger other processes before the application is fully uninstalled. The apparatus may also include additional components to handle the uninstallation process, such as modules for managing application data or ensuring proper system state transitions. The overall goal is to provide a reliable way to detect and respond to application uninstallation events, improving system stability and user experience.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 , further including a means for startup detection to cause the means for detecting to determine if the application has been uninstalled during startup of the mobile device.
This invention relates to mobile device security, specifically detecting unauthorized application removal. The apparatus monitors installed applications and identifies if an application has been uninstalled during the device's startup process. It includes a detection mechanism that verifies the presence of applications and a startup detection component that triggers this verification during device boot-up. The system ensures that critical applications remain installed, preventing unauthorized removal that could compromise security or functionality. The startup detection mechanism activates the verification process automatically when the device starts, ensuring timely detection of any tampering. This solution addresses the challenge of maintaining application integrity in mobile environments where unauthorized modifications may occur, particularly during system initialization. The apparatus operates independently of user intervention, providing continuous protection against unauthorized application removal.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the application is an on-device meter application.
The invention relates to a computing apparatus configured to execute an on-device meter application that measures and monitors resource usage, such as processing power, memory, or storage, directly on the device without relying on external servers. The apparatus includes a processor, memory, and a display, where the meter application operates locally to track resource consumption in real time. This solution addresses the need for accurate, privacy-preserving resource monitoring by eliminating the latency and security risks associated with cloud-based monitoring systems. The application provides users with detailed insights into their device's performance, enabling them to optimize usage and identify inefficiencies. The apparatus may also include additional features, such as alerts for excessive resource consumption or recommendations for improving efficiency. By running the meter application on the device itself, the invention ensures data privacy and reduces dependency on external infrastructure, making it suitable for environments with limited connectivity or strict data security requirements.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the means for detecting is to detect uninstallation of the on-device meter application.
A system monitors and manages software applications installed on a computing device, particularly focusing on detecting the removal of a metering application that tracks usage data. The system includes a detection mechanism that identifies when the metering application is uninstalled from the device. This detection process ensures that the removal of the metering application is recorded, allowing for subsequent actions such as generating alerts, logging events, or triggering backup processes to preserve usage data before the application is fully removed. The system may also include a communication module to transmit the uninstallation event to a remote server for further analysis or reporting. The detection mechanism operates in real-time or near-real-time to minimize data loss and maintain accurate usage records. This solution addresses the challenge of ensuring continuous monitoring of software applications, even when users attempt to remove tracking or metering tools, thereby maintaining data integrity and compliance with monitoring requirements. The system is applicable in environments where software usage tracking is critical, such as enterprise IT management, software licensing enforcement, or compliance monitoring.
6. The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the means for detecting is specifically dedicated to monitoring the on-device meter application.
The invention relates to a specialized apparatus for monitoring on-device meter applications, addressing the need for precise and dedicated tracking of such applications to ensure accurate measurement and reporting. The apparatus includes a detection means specifically designed to monitor the on-device meter application, distinguishing it from general-purpose monitoring systems. This dedicated monitoring ensures that the meter application operates correctly, providing reliable data without interference from other processes. The apparatus may also include a communication interface to transmit collected data to external systems for further analysis or storage. Additionally, it may feature a processing unit to preprocess or validate the data before transmission, enhancing accuracy and efficiency. The detection means is optimized for low-latency operation, ensuring real-time or near-real-time monitoring of the meter application's performance. This specialized focus improves the reliability of metering functions, which are critical in applications such as utility monitoring, billing systems, or resource tracking. The apparatus may also include error-handling mechanisms to detect and report anomalies in the meter application, ensuring continuous and accurate operation. By isolating the monitoring function to the meter application, the apparatus avoids conflicts with other software, reducing system overhead and improving overall performance. The invention is particularly useful in environments where precise and uninterrupted metering is essential, such as industrial automation, smart grids, or IoT devices.
7. An apparatus to detect uninstallation of an audience metering application on a mobile device, the apparatus comprising: means for detecting that the audience metering application is to be uninstalled from the mobile device based on a notification broadcast within the mobile device, wherein the notification not communicated external to the mobile device, wherein the notification received from a package manager, wherein the audience metering application is to store monitoring information representative of usage of the mobile device; means for uninstalling is to instruct a package manager to remove the means for detecting from the mobile device when the audience metering application is uninstalled; and means for communicating to: transmit the monitoring information to a data collector, the monitoring information stores in an event log by the audience metering application, wherein, the monitoring information not transmitter to the data collector by the audience metering application; and transmit an uninstallation notification to the data collector when the audience metering application is to be uninstalled, wherein the uninstallation notification is to enable identification of a panelist associated with the mobile device.
The invention relates to audience metering systems for mobile devices, specifically addressing the challenge of detecting and reporting the uninstallation of an audience metering application to ensure accurate data collection. The apparatus monitors the mobile device to detect when the audience metering application is about to be uninstalled, using an internal notification broadcast by the device's package manager. This notification is not shared externally but is used internally to trigger the uninstallation process. The apparatus includes a detection mechanism that identifies the uninstallation event and a communication module that transmits stored monitoring data to a data collector before the application is removed. The monitoring data, which records device usage, is stored in an event log by the audience metering application but is not transmitted by the application itself. Additionally, the apparatus sends an uninstallation notification to the data collector, enabling the identification of the panelist associated with the mobile device. The apparatus also ensures its own removal by instructing the package manager to uninstall it when the audience metering application is uninstalled, maintaining system integrity. This solution ensures that data collection remains uninterrupted and that uninstallation events are properly logged for accurate audience measurement.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the means for detecting is to determine if the audience metering application has been uninstalled during startup of the mobile device.
This invention relates to audience metering systems for mobile devices, specifically addressing the challenge of detecting unauthorized removal or tampering with audience metering applications. The apparatus includes a detection mechanism that monitors the presence and integrity of the audience metering application during the mobile device's startup process. If the application is found to be uninstalled or otherwise compromised, the detection mechanism identifies this event. The system may also include a reporting mechanism to log or transmit this detection to a central server for further analysis. The apparatus ensures continuous and reliable audience measurement by verifying the application's status at critical operational stages, such as device boot-up, to prevent data loss or manipulation. This solution is particularly useful for market research and advertising analytics, where accurate and tamper-proof audience data is essential. The detection mechanism operates autonomously, requiring no user intervention, and integrates seamlessly with the mobile device's operating system to maintain functionality without disrupting user experience. The invention enhances the reliability of audience metering by proactively identifying and addressing potential disruptions to the metering application's operation.
9. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the means for detecting is dedicated to monitoring only the audience metering application.
The invention relates to audience metering systems, which track media consumption by monitoring user interactions with media devices. A key challenge in such systems is ensuring accurate and reliable detection of media usage while minimizing interference with other device functions. The invention addresses this by providing a dedicated detection mechanism specifically for audience metering applications, ensuring that the monitoring process does not disrupt other operations or consume unnecessary resources. The apparatus includes a detection mechanism that is exclusively assigned to monitor the audience metering application. This dedicated monitoring ensures that the detection process is optimized for accuracy and efficiency, as it is not shared with other applications or functions. The detection mechanism may involve sensors, software modules, or hardware components that specifically track media consumption data, such as viewing or listening patterns, without interfering with the device's primary functions. By isolating the detection process, the system avoids conflicts with other applications and maintains high reliability in audience measurement. The apparatus may also include a processing unit that analyzes the detected data to generate audience metrics, such as viewership statistics or user engagement levels. The dedicated detection mechanism ensures that the data collected is precise and consistent, improving the overall accuracy of the audience metering system. This approach is particularly useful in environments where multiple applications compete for system resources, as it prevents performance degradation due to shared monitoring tasks. The invention enhances the reliability and efficiency of audience metering by ensuring that the detection process is streaml
10. An apparatus to detect uninstallation of an audience metering process on a mobile device, the apparatus comprising: means for detecting that the audience metering process is to be uninstalled from the mobile device based on a notification broadcast within the mobile device, wherein the notification is not communicated external to the mobile device, wherein the audience metering process is to store monitoring information representative of usage of the mobile device; means for uninstalling to instruct a package manager to remove the means for detecting from the mobile device when the audience metering process is uninstalled; and means for communicating to: transmit the monitoring information to a data collector, wherein the monitoring information stored by the audience metering process, and wherein the monitoring information is not transmitted to the data collector by the audience metering process; transmit an uninstallation notification to the data collector when the audience metering process is to be uninstalled, wherein the uninstallation notification is to enable identification of a panelist associated with the mobile device; in response to transmission of the uninstallation notification to the data collector, cause an exit questionnaire to be presented, wherein the exit questionnaire to request a reason for the uninstallation of the audience metering process; and in response to receipt of a response to the exit questionnaire, request uninstallation of the means for detecting.
This invention relates to audience metering on mobile devices, specifically detecting and responding to the uninstallation of an audience metering process. The system monitors mobile device usage and collects monitoring information, which is transmitted to a data collector. When the audience metering process is about to be uninstalled, the system detects this through an internal notification broadcast within the mobile device. Upon detection, the system instructs a package manager to remove the detection mechanism itself. Before uninstallation, the system transmits the stored monitoring information to the data collector, even if the audience metering process itself does not. Additionally, it sends an uninstallation notification to the data collector, enabling identification of the associated panelist. The system then triggers an exit questionnaire to gather the reason for uninstallation. Once the response is received, the system requests its own uninstallation. This ensures that monitoring data is preserved and user feedback is collected before the system is removed.
11. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the means for detecting is further to determine if the audience metering process has been uninstalled during startup of the mobile device.
The apparatus is designed for monitoring audience metering processes on mobile devices to detect unauthorized removal or tampering. The system includes a detection mechanism that operates during the device's startup to verify the presence and integrity of the audience metering software. If the software has been uninstalled or altered, the detection mechanism identifies this condition. This ensures that audience measurement data remains accurate and reliable by preventing unauthorized modifications. The apparatus may also include additional components to log or report such detection events, enabling further investigation or corrective actions. The solution addresses the challenge of maintaining accurate audience measurement in environments where users may attempt to disable or remove monitoring software, ensuring compliance with data collection requirements. The detection process is integrated into the device's startup sequence, allowing for early identification of tampering before the device is fully operational. This proactive approach enhances the reliability of audience measurement systems in mobile environments.
12. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the means for uninstalling is to display, in response to the notification, a prompt asking whether the audience metering process is to be uninstalled, and wherein the means for uninstalling to uninstall the audience metering process in response to a user response to the prompt indicating that the audience metering process is to be uninstalled.
This invention relates to audience metering systems, specifically to methods and apparatus for managing the uninstallation of audience metering processes on user devices. The problem addressed is ensuring that audience metering software can be properly removed from a device when requested by the user, while also providing clear confirmation to avoid accidental uninstallation. The apparatus includes a notification system that alerts the user when an audience metering process is eligible for uninstallation. Upon receiving this notification, the system displays a prompt asking the user whether they wish to proceed with uninstalling the audience metering process. If the user confirms the uninstallation, the system executes the removal of the audience metering process from the device. This ensures that the uninstallation is intentional and prevents unintended removal of the software. The apparatus may also include additional components for monitoring audience engagement, such as tracking media consumption or user interactions, which are deactivated during the uninstallation process. The system is designed to operate on various user devices, including smartphones, tablets, and computers, where audience metering software is commonly installed. The primary technical challenge solved is providing a user-friendly and secure method for uninstalling audience metering processes while maintaining system integrity.
13. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the means for detecting is dedicated to monitoring only the audience metering process.
The invention relates to audience metering systems, which track viewer behavior for media content. A key challenge is ensuring accurate and reliable monitoring of audience engagement, which can be disrupted by external factors or system malfunctions. The invention addresses this by providing a dedicated monitoring mechanism specifically for the audience metering process. This mechanism is designed to continuously observe and verify the performance of the metering system, ensuring that data collection remains consistent and error-free. By isolating the monitoring function from other system operations, the invention prevents interference from unrelated processes, improving the reliability of audience measurement. The apparatus includes a specialized detection component that focuses solely on the metering process, distinguishing it from general-purpose monitoring systems. This dedicated approach enhances accuracy by reducing noise and external influences, ensuring that the collected audience data is both precise and trustworthy. The invention is particularly useful in environments where high-fidelity audience analytics are critical, such as broadcast media, digital advertising, and market research. The dedicated monitoring mechanism operates independently, allowing for real-time detection of anomalies or deviations in the metering process, which can then be corrected to maintain data integrity. This solution improves the overall effectiveness of audience measurement systems by minimizing errors and ensuring continuous, uninterrupted monitoring.
Unknown
June 23, 2020
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